In this market we all know that before you put your house up for sale, you may need to do some cosmetic updating and cleaning up. We're getting ready to list my Mom's home in Elkridge Maryland.
This home was built in 1999 and the layout is great, it is almost like 2 homes in one with a full in-law suite in the lower level. The open floorplan makes it look large and spacious.
Even though this home is newly built, it still needs to be updated. We're doing an entire cosmetic overhaul on it, not spending a huge amount of money, but basically freshening it and neutralizing it.
Did you know that if you have distinct colors in your home, lets say you have a "green" kitchen, green in the floor and countertops, green accents, etc., only about 20% of the population will have items that coordinate with the green.
To have your house be attractive to the greatest number of potential buyers, it's best to neutralize it in tones that will be a good backdrop to a buyer's furniture and accessories so they can move right in. They can always paint their own colors afterwards, but buyers in this market want "move-in" condition unless the price is really low.
I did a big shopping trip at the Pasadena Home Depot. The service was phenomenal, an employee that normally helps the contractors took me around to choose flooring, knobs, and light fixtures.
Home Depot carries a great Dupont flooring that has the look of stone but is snap together like the wood-look laminate flooring. There are a couple different styles available. In this price range, this flooring will be perfect. It will give the appearance of a nice stone, yet be easy and quick to install for our makeover.
They also carry a nice line of light fixtures that are not very expensive but very stylish. I did buy the Hampton Bay outside lanterns as I am going for a style and finish (brushed nickel) that will look good with the house. It's important to match the accessories with the colors of paint and siding. This house is grey and white, a cool color combination, so the brushed nickel is going to look much nicer than a brass. We're going to continue the colors on the inside as my brother has already painted much of the inside white so we're going to use brushed nickel fixtures on the inside as well.
I'm looking forward to giving this house a great makeover and making it look brand new - we're going to try to have it on the market in a month!
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